Body Harness for Remote Restroom Use

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a device for defecating or urinated in a leaning or squatting position. The body harness assembly includes a body harness and a primary band, the body harness including a cutout region extending inwardly from the bottom edge of the body harness. The primary band includes a first strap section, a second strap section, and a releasable fastener, with the first strap section extending distally proximate the first side of the body harness and the second strap section extending distally proximate the second side of the body harness. The strap sections are joined with a releasable fastener proximate their respective distal ends, and operable to releasably join the strap sections, whereby the person can manipulate it and make or break a complete perimeter and in turn encompass the person and the stationary object within said perimeter.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a body harness assembly, more particularly fora body harness assembly for use to relieve oneself in the absence of aconventional toilet.

Description of the Related Art

Sometimes people find themselves in outdoor or remote environments andneed to relieve themselves without any nearby conventional restrooms.Some options come in the forms of portable rigid buckets, devices to siton, and pop-up privacy tents.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a device for defecating orurinating in a leaning or squatting position. The body harness assemblysecures a person to a stationary object and enables the person tourinate or defecate in a leaning or squatting position. The body harnessassembly comprises a body harness presenting a major cross section and aprimary band. the body harness extending from a first end to a secondend and presenting an interior surface for contact with a partialperimeter of the person. The body harness includes a cutout regionextending inwardly from the bottom edge of the cross section of the bodyharness, providing additional clearance between the buttocks.

The primary band includes a first strap section, a second strap section,and a releasable fastener, with the first strap section extendingdistally proximate the first side of the body harness and the secondstrap section extending distally proximate the second side of the bodyharness.

The strap sections are joined with a releasable fastener proximate theirrespective distal ends, with the releasable fastener disposed inlinewith the strap sections, and operable to releasably join the strapsections, whereby the person can manipulate it and make or break acomplete perimeter and in turn encompass the person and the stationaryobject within said perimeter.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention willbecome better understood with reference to the following description,and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of a bodyharness of the invention as it may exist in operation;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a body harness assemblyof the invention as it may exist in operation;

FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of a body harness assemblyof the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of an embodiment of a body harness assemblyof the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of a body harness assemblyof the invention as it may exist in operation;

FIG. 6 depicts a dimensional rear view of an embodiment of a bodyharness assembly of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of a body harness assemblyof the invention as it may exist in operation;

FIG. 8 illustrates use of an embodiment of a body harness assembly ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Sometimes people find themselves in outdoor or remote environments andneed to use the restroom without any nearby restrooms facilities. Thebody harness assembly 10 of the current invention is operable to supporta person 02 defecating or urinating 09 while leaning or squatting. Thebody harness assembly 10 is operable to support the weight of theleaning or squatting person 06 releasably secured to a stationarystructure 02.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the current invention as itmay exist in operation. The user 06 engages a body harness 20, with thebody harness 20 releasably secured to the stationary structure 02,enabling the person 06 to safely and securely lean or squat. Suitablestationary structures 02 are those which present a perimeter 03 orpartial perimeter around which the body harness assembly 10 may beengaged and can bear the load of the person 06 using the body harnessassembly 10. Representative suitable stationary structures 02 includetrees, hitches, poles, or the like.

Embodiments of a body harness assembly 10 include a body harness 20 anda primary band 30 having a fastener 36. The body harness 20 is operablefor engagement to the person 06. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate configurationsof a body harness 20. The body harness 20 extends from a first end 26 toa second end 27 and presents an interior surface 22 for contact with theperson 06, and an exterior surface 24. In exemplary use, the interiorsurface 22 of the body harness 20 is engaged to contact and to conformto one or more of the waist, hip, small of back area, upper buttocks, orlike area 07 of the person 06. Optionally, the body harness 20 includespadding.

The body harness 20 is dimensioned and shaped to cover a partialperimeter of the person 06 and distribute the resistive force providedby it over the body harness 20 and, in turn, the contact area 07 of theperson 06. It is dimensioned and shaped to leave an unimpeded path fromthe crotch to the ground when the body harness assembly 10 is used. Theillustrated body harness 20 presents a major cross section 25 and spansfrom side to side of the person 06. Exemplary configurations include acutout region 21, the cutout region 21 extending inwardly from thebottom edge of the cross section of the body harness 20, providingimproved conformity to each of the buttocks and increased clearance fromthe genitals and anus between the person 06 and the ground.Representative sample dimensions for a configuration of a body harness20 for a person 02 are shown in FIG. 6 . The illustrated cross section25 has a height of about eight inches and a width of about 28 inches.The first strap section 32 has a length of about sixty seven inches. Thecutout region 21 rises about about three inches from the bottom of thecross section 25.

The body harness 20 is composed of material suitable to bear the load ofthe person 06 leaning or squatting into it, such as natural fabrics,synthetic fabrics, blended fabrics, water resistant fabrics, waterprooffabrics, webbing, or other similar fabrics. Additionally, the fabric maybe impregnated or coated with antimicrobial material.

As shown in FIG. 5 , certain embodiments of the body harness 20 includeone or more strip extensions 28 extending downwardly proximate an end 2627 of the body harness 20, dimensioned to cover part or all of abuttock. In certain configurations, a strip extension 28 is preformed tothe shape of a buttock or essentially containing planar fabric withwebbing on its perimeter to match the corresponding perimeter 23 of abuttock, such as ribbon webbing, increasing rigidity and conformance ofthe strip extension 28 to a buttock.

The body harness assembly 10 enables a person 06 engaged to the bodyharness 20 to safely and securely lean or squat, with the body harness20 releasably secured to the stationary structure 02. The body harnessassembly 10 further includes a primary band 30 operable to releasablysecure the body harness assembly 10 to the stationary object 02,enabling the person 06 and stationary object 92 to be encompassed withina perimeter 38. The primary band 30 of FIG. 7 includes a first strapsection 32, a second strap section 34, and a releasable fastener 36. Inthe illustrated configuration, the strap section 32 34 extend distallyfrom the opposing ends 26 27 of the body harness 20. A first strapsection 32 extends distally proximate the first side 26 of the bodyharness 20 and a second strap section 34 extends distally proximate thesecond side 27 of the body harness 20.

The strap sections 32 34 are composed of suitable material to bear theload of the person 06 leaning or squatting. Further suitable materialsare those which have a friction coefficient that minimizes slippingbetween the strap sections 32 34 sliding and the stationary object 02,such as the wood of a tree or the steel of a hitch. Exemplary strapsections 32 34 can be composed of nylon or the like.

The strap sections 32 34 are dimensioned with a length to provide aperimeter large enough to encompass the person 06 and the stationaryobject 02. Further considerations for strap section 32 34 length includeheight/height range of persons 06, thigh section lengths of the persons06 (to account for additional spacing from the stationary object 02 whena person changes from vertical standing position to a squattingposition), and desired range of spacing between a person 06 and thestationary object 02.

In certain configurations, the body harness 20 includes one or morepockets 52. To illustrate, the pockets 52 may be disposed proximateadjacent ends 26 27 of the body harness 20, supporting the strapsections 32 34 folding back into the pockets 52 so that the strapsections 32 34 can be compacted when the body harness assembly 10 is notin use. Additionally, the pockets 52 can include a waterproof layer onthe inside.

The strap sections 32 34 join are joined with a releasable fastener 36proximate their respective distal ends, extending the partial perimeterpresented by the body harness 20 and defining a continuous perimeter 38when the releasable fastener 36 is engaged. The releasable fastener 36should be durable enough to support the force of a person 06 duringusage. Representative suitable releasable fastener 36 includecarabiners, clips, or the like. Some other releasable fastener 36configurations include support for easy attachment/removal, one handedoperation, and the like.

In exemplary configuration, the releasable fastener 36 is disposedinline with the strap sections 32 34, operable to releasably join thestrap sections 32 34, enabling the person 06 to manipulate it and makeor break a complete perimeter 38 and in turn encompass the stationaryobject 02 within the perimeter 38. In various configurations, theprimary band's 30 attachment with the body harness 20 varies. In certainconfigurations, the primary band 30, strap sections 32 34, or partsthereof are integral with the body harness 20, on interior surface ofthe body harness 20, on exterior surface of the body harness 20,interleaved with the body harness 20, or other configurations. With thereleasable fastener 36 engaged, a continuous perimeter 38 defined by thebody harness 20 joined to the first strap section 32, in turn joined tothe releasable fastener 36, in turn joined to the second strap section34, in turn joined to the body harness 20 is defined.

In certain configurations, the length of the first strap section 32 andthe second strap section 34 are different, so that the relative positionof the releasable fastener 36 position is configurable. For example, thelength of the first strap section 32 may be greater than the length ofthe second strap section 34, resulting in various positions of thefastener 36 relative to the anchor 02 or person 06, so that thereleasable fastener 36 is or isn't bound by the stationary object 02, orthe releasable fastener 36 is in or out of reach of the person 06 whenthe user 06 is leaning or squatting.

Certain configurations of the body harness assembly 10 include anadditional integral, belt band 40. The illustrated belt band 40 includesa first belt section 42, a second belt section 44, and a releasablefastener 46. In the illustrated configuration, the belt sections 42 44extend distally from opposing ends 26 27 of the body harness 20. Thefirst belt section 42 extends distally proximate the first side 26 ofthe body harness 20 and the second belt section 44 extends distallyproximate the second side 27 of the body harness 20. The belt sections42 44 are joined with a releasable fastener 46 proximate the respectivedistal ends, extending the partial perimeter presented by the bodyharness 20 and defining a second continuous perimeter 48, such that thesecond interior belt perimeter 48 encompasses the person 06 around thewaist or other area, for freedom of use for the hands/arms and moreresiliently securing the person's 06 body positioning relative to thebody harness 20, while the outer perimeter 38 has a greater width andcontains both the stationary object 02 and the person 06.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of a body harness assembly 10. The user selects asuitable stationary object 02 and faces it. The person 06 engages theinterior side 22 of the body harness 20 to the waist area 07, wraps theadjustable belt sections 42 44 around the waist, and secures the beltsections 30 around the body and engages the belt fastener 46. Then theuser 06 releases the band fastener 36 so that the perimeter 38 definedby the strap sections 32 34 is broken. The person 06 encloses thestationary object 02 within the primary band 30 and engages the bandfastener 36 so that the primary band perimeter 38 is formed,encompassing the stationary object 02 and the person 06, and then locksthe fastener 36. The person 06 then leans back or squats, with the bodyharness 20 providing support to maintain the person's 06 position. Withthe body position secured, the person 06 and is able to relieve themself09.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing discloseany additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the singleclaim below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and theright to file one or more applications to claim such additionalinventions is reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A body harness assembly for securing a person toa stationary object and enabling the person to urinate or defecate in aleaning or squatting position, said body harness assembly comprising: abody harness and a primary band; said body harness presenting a majorcross section and extending from a first end to a second end andpresenting an interior surface for contact with a partial perimeter ofthe person; said body harness including a cutout region extendinginwardly from the bottom edge of said cross section of said bodyharness; said primary band including a first strap section, a secondstrap section, and a releasable fastener, said first strap sectionextending distally proximate the first side of said body harness andsaid second strap section extending distally proximate the second sideof said body harness; said strap sections are joined with a releasablefastener proximate their respective distal ends, said releasablefastener disposed inline with said strap sections, and operable toreleasably join the strap sections, whereby the person can manipulate itand make or break a complete perimeter and in turn encompass the personand the stationary object within said perimeter.
 2. The body harness ofclaim 1, wherein said body harness further comprises padding.
 3. Thebody harness of claim 1, wherein said body harness surface is composedof water resistant fabric.
 4. The body harness of claim 1, wherein saidbody harness surface is composed of waterproof fabric.
 5. The bodyharness of claim 1, wherein said body harness surface is coated orimpregnated with antimicrobial material.
 6. The body harness of claim 1,wherein said body harness further comprises include a pair of stripextensions extending downwardly from proximate said opposing end of saidbody harness, each dimensioned to cover the outer part of its respectiveassociated buttock.
 7. The body harness of claim 6, wherein said stripextensions are preformed to the shape of a buttock.
 8. The body harnessof claim 6, wherein said strip extensions are comprised of planar fabricwith webbing on its perimeter to match the corresponding perimeter of abuttock.
 9. The body harness of claim 1, further comprising one or morepockets disposed proximate said ends of said body harness.
 10. The bodyharness of claim 9, wherein said pockets includes a waterproof layer onthe inside
 11. The body harness of claim 1, wherein said strap sectionsare composed of nylon.
 12. The body harness of claim 1, wherein thelengths of said first strap section and said second strap section aresubstantially equal.
 13. The body harness of claim 1, wherein the lengthof one of said strap sections is greater than the length of the otherstrap section.
 14. The body harness of claim 1, wherein said releasablefastener of said primary band comprises a carabiner.
 15. The bodyharness of claim 1, wherein said releasable fastener of said primaryband comprises a snap clip.
 16. The body harness of claim 1, whereinsaid primary band is joined on the interior surface of said bodyharness.
 17. The body harness of claim 1, wherein said primary band isjoined on the exterior surface of said body harness.
 18. The bodyharness of claim 1, further comprising an additional belt band, saidbelt band including a first belt section, a second belt section, and areleasable belt fastener, said belt sections extending distally fromsaid opposing ends of said body harness, said first belt sectionextending distally proximate said first side of said body harness andsaid second belt section extending distally proximate said second sideof said body harness, said belt sections joined with a releasable beltfastener, proximate their respective distal ends, defining a secondcontinuous perimeter of lesser width than said primary band perimeter.19. The body harness of claim 18, wherein said belt band is joined onthe interior surface of said body harness.
 20. The body harness of claim13, wherein said cross section has a height of about eight inches and awidth of about 28 inches, said first strap section has a length of aboutsixty seven inches, said second strap section has a length less thansixty seven inches, said cutout region rises about about three inchesfrom the bottom of said cross section.